Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that there will be further access to Jedburgh Abbey with more areas of the site now open following high-level masonry inspections and essential conservation work.
The Abbey Church has reopened to visitors, who can now enter through the east processional door to explore the iconic abbey established in the Scottish Borders in the 1100s. Visitors can walk down the Lothian Aisle and Nave to admire the unique mix of Romanesque and early Gothic architecture of the building. The Stone Museum, which houses artefacts from the site’s past, has also re-opened its doors.
The grounds are open for exploration, allowing visitors to see the remains of ancillary buildings where the brethren ate and slept, as well as the vast kitchen and cellar ranges. Visitors can also walk in the recreated cloister garden and reflect on life in the medieval abbey. Additionally, some exceptional early Christian artefacts, which pre-date the abbey by several centuries, are on display in the visitor centre.
Stuart Holmes, Regional Visitor and Community Manager for South Region at HES said:
“The abbey has played a key role in Scotland’s history and that of the Borders for over 900 years. Its intricate stonework has faced many aggressors with its most recent challenges, being accelerated by climate change. Following a programme of inspections and essential conservation work we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors from the local community and beyond back into the heart of the Abbey to explore even more of its fascinating history.”
HES has stated that some restrictions remain in place with the viewing gallery remaining closed whilst further high-level masonry inspections are carried out.
The High-Level Masonry Programme is the result of continuous risk assessment and sample surveys. It evaluates the effect of climate change and other factors on building sites, such as the materials used in construction, the building’s age, and its physical location. While this is not a problem unique to Scotland, HES is believed to be one of the first heritage managers to address it in this manner, and they have shared the results with peer organizations.
HES is a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance.
Additionally, they provide outreach, educational, and cultural activities. The organization also plays a crucial role in Scotland’s planning system by providing a core statutory and regulatory function.
